Demonstrators complete a loop of downtown during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.(Photo: Sam Greene)

Several hundred people wound through Downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, some clutching signs calling for President Donald Trump to pay deference to law and order.

Some believe he's already violated the law by inserting Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general after ousting Jeff Sessions.

So the protesters gathered on Garfield Place near Eighth Street to rally against what they see as Trump's move to impede the Russia investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Whitaker, in a 2017 article published by CNN before joining the Justice Department, argued that Mueller's investigation should not include a review of Trump's family finances.

Whitaker's appointment as the top law enforcement chief in the country came without approval from the Senate, which Patricia Klingenberg, who organized Cincinnati's rally, said is "probably unconstitutional."

Others agree with that assessment, including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway's husband, George Conway, who wrote in The New York Times that Whitaker and other "principal officers" must be confirmed by the Senate, as outlined in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Demonstrators complete a loop of downtown during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

Demonstrators complete a loop of downtown during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

Demonstrators march into Piatt Park during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

Demonstrators complete a loop of downtown during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

Demonstrators gather after completing a march around downtown during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

Heather Wehrman, of Anderson Township, stands under a statue of William Henry Harrison with a sign calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump during a nationwide protest following the resignation of attorney general Jeff Sessions and Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker at Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Sam Greene

"It's very obvious to me that it's an attempt to derail the prosecution," he later told The Enquirer. "Just the act of issuing indictments can't go forward without Whitaker. He can stop everything."

Patrick Cotter, a former federal prosecutor, echoed that sentiment in remarks to USA Today in March.

"If Trump removes Sessions, Mueller would have to look at this very carefully in combination with the president's dismissal of (FBI director James) Comey as an effort to damage, derail or slow down the Russia investigation," he said then.

"It is vitally important that we stay in this fight, that we continue to demand answers," Pureval said through a megaphone.

Klingenberg, the organizer, said she first felt the urge to defend Mueller last November, when she felt the Russia investigation could be threatened.

The rally in Cincinnati was one of dozens nationwide to "protect Mueller," according to MoveOn.org, the group helping organize the rallies.

Frank Davis held a sign reading "Recuse," and said he was rallying in support of Mueller's investigation continuing unimpeded and "following the evidence wherever it leads."

"This is not partisan," Davis said. "It's about justice."

Heimlich, the former prosecuting attorney, told the crowd he's a conservative and an evangelical.

He invoked Jesus, saying, "I believe if Jesus were here today, he would look at those of us who put up with this man, serial adulterer, paying off porn stars, constant lying, constant corruption, and he would say as he said to the religious leaders of his day, 'You hypocrites.'"

A 22-year-old University of Cincinnati student and Trump supporter attended the rally. Patrick, who didn't wish to give his last name, said the Mueller investigation should be limited to possible collusion with Russia.

Trump fan was here at the rally in Cincy. Patrick, 22, didn’t want to give his last name. The UC student said Mueller’s investigation ‘seems really partisan’ and investigators are doing anything they can to indict Trump. pic.twitter.com/PzTU6hWVyl